A Symphony of Style and Craftsmanship, Yet Bound by Software Constraints

1984 marked a pivotal year with the introduction of the Mac — a revolutionary tool designed for the misfits, rebels, and those who saw things differently. A beacon for the round pegs in square holes, Mac’s innovative spirit has proven resilient even four decades later.

While it may not be the most democratic computing device, it undeniably holds prominence in my social circle of creatives and innovators. My journey with the iPad began in 2012, envisioning it as the device suited for the post-PC era, where mobile devices took center stage with web apps and mobile applications.

Attempting to consolidate my digital life around a single computing device, the iPad emerged as the ideal candidate due to its versatility and high mobility, coupled with exceptional build quality that makes it a joy to use. However, on a deeper level, daily use revealed my inherent reliance on a desktop-first environment.

Can the File System Experience on iPad be Better?

The File System, though present, begs improvement. The absence of a desktop space to anchor documents and the cluttered Files app, especially with ever-expanding downloads, creates a potential disaster. Simple tasks like attaching documents to an email become unnecessarily time-consuming compared to the simplicity of drag-and-drop in MacOS. Additionally, a progress bar for large file transfers in a multitasking environment would be a welcome enhancement, currently missing in the iPad’s functionality.

Excellent Camera in a Less-Than-Ideal Position

While the iPad boasts a great camera, its placement presents challenges during calls. Despite feeling confident and professional, the unconventional eye contact and positioning of the face and chin often undermine the experience. Though the iPad 10th generation has addressed the camera placement, software-related challenges persist.

In terms of applications, the iPad falls short of the versatility of traditional programs. While it excels as a browsing device, occasional painful experiences arise. Losing tabs when opening a second instance of Safari is a recurring issue, requiring multiple steps to retrieve lost information. A refined Stage Manager would undoubtedly enhance user experience.

Apps Fall Short in Comparison to Traditional Programs

As of my January 2024 monthly use case, primarily revolving around browsing, mailing, and video calls, the iPad proves both impressive and frustrating. The journey with this device, while transformative, highlights areas for improvement, particularly in the seamless integration of features that users have come to expect from traditional computing environments.

However, the problem with daily use of apps are more prominent with other cases. For instance, zooming in and out while working on multiple docs open side by side can be a problematic. It is not as snappy as I expect and in some instances I cannot even scroll as I intended. I understand that maybe I am using third-party hardware and not pricey Apple products but that is not a customer experience to begin with.

However, the most significant issue I encounter is not attributable to Apple but rather stems from a limited user base. I fail to understand why I cannot download the chat or the recording to my local drive after a Zoom call. Additionally, it perplexes me why I cannot view others’ faces while sharing my screen. Else, I don’t see a reason why loom cannot record both my screen and my face as it support in the Desktop version. Certainly there is a software limitation, whether from demand side or supply side that creates an issue here.

While the iPad seamlessly integrates into my daily digital life, challenges persist. Issues such as file system limitations, suboptimal camera placement, and software restrictions dampen the otherwise impressive user experience.

The most significant hurdles, however, stem from broader software limitations, impacting my life as a user. Maybe there are workarounds but not everyone has ability and time to discover such hacks and tricks. Let’s see what the next month will bring to the table?